Choco Mucho put up an impenetrable wall above the net, fending off a feisty comeback from Galeries Tower in five sets, 27-29, 25-20, 25-19, 17-25, 15-12, to claim its first win in the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference on Thursday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
Kat Tolentino, rookie Lorraine Pecaña, and Sisi Rondina all came through in the decider as the Flying Titans bounced back from a tough opening-day loss to Petro Gazz last Saturday, improving their win-loss record to 1-1.
Tolentino and Pecaña formed a formidable 1-2 punch above the net, tallying seven blocks each to anchor Choco Mucho’s net defense, which produced a whopping 22 blocks that stymied the young Highrisers in the two-hour and 37-minute marathon.
“Syempre sobrang happy ako kasi nakukuha namin ‘yung gusto naming ano sa blocking talaga. May mga [areas] lang talaga kami na ‘di pa umaangat, pero sabi ko nga sa players ko ang pagsasandalan talaga namin is ‘yung blocking namin,” said Flying Titans head coach Dante Alinsunurin.
(C) PVL Images
The 29-year-old Fil-Canadian spiker delivered a game-high 27 points, 20 from attacks, and contributed 10 excellent digs in the victory.
Rondina, meanwhile, supported Tolentino with 19 points, all from attacks, and eight excellent receptions, while Cherry Nunag added 14 points for Choco Mucho. Pecaña, who had three crucial blocks in the fifth set, achieved a career-high 10 points.
“I think it’s just [about] sticking to coach Dante’s blocking system. Ever since, even last year, that’s what I’ve been trying to work on, and I just had to stick to the process. Sticking to the system and trusting the team is what got us there,” said Tolentino.
Mars Alba continued her solid play in place of starting setter Deanna Wong, who remained sidelined due to a nagging knee injury, tossing 20 excellent sets along with four points. Thang Ponce registered 18 excellent sets and 14 excellent digs.
The Flying Titans capitalized on critical errors from Ysa Jimenez and Roselle Baliton in a key 3-0 swing that gave them a comfortable 11-7 lead late in the fifth set.
In an attempt to make up for her error, Jimenez scored two points in a 3-0 run that brought Galeries within a point, but Pecaña blocked the former UST standout on the next play, followed by a Des Cheng ace to restore order for Choco Mucho at 13-10.
Jimenez and Rondina traded hits before Coronel scored cross-court to save a point for the Highrisers. The former PVL All-Filipino Conference MVP then sealed the win for the Flying Titans with a searing cross-court hit.
Choco Mucho faces Capital1 next, hoping to secure its second consecutive victory on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at the same venue.
(C) PVL Images
Meanwhile, Galeries fell to 0-2 at the start of the All-Filipino tilt.
Rookie outside spiker Jewel Encarnacion, who struggled to convert attacks late in the fifth set, led Galeries with 18 points and 11 excellent receptions, while Ysa Jimenez and France Ronquillo added 13 and 11 points, respectively.
Coronel, the second overall pick in the 2024 PVL Draft, had another stellar performance in her dual role, finishing with 11 excellent sets, 10 points, and seven excellent digs.
Reigning Reinforced Conference Best Libero Alyssa Eroa ended the game with 30 excellent digs.
The Highrisers aim to bounce back from back-to-back losses when they face PLDT on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
